The tragic events at Grenfell Tower have highlighted the importance of our long standing commitment to fire safety. We take our responsibilities as a landlord very seriously which has resulted in considerable investment in fire safety over recent years. Some of our fire safety arrangements are set out below.

Cladding

One of the major concerns following the fire at Grenfell Tower is the type of cladding used. Tamar has no cladding of any sort on any of our buildings.

Fire Safety Risk Assessments

All of Tamar’s blocks of flats have had a fire safety risk assessment each year. You can view the fire risk assessment for your block by clicking on the link on the right. We have completed most of the recommendations and are working on the few remaining low risk issues.

Smoke Alarms

All of Tamar’s properties have a hard wired smoke alarm which is tested at least every two years. For most homes we do this test as part of the annual gas safety visit. Where there is no gas at a property we check the smoke alarms on a separate visit. You can also test your own alarms by pressing the red button.

Fire Alarms

All Tamar blocks with internal communal areas have a fire alarm, which is serviced every 6 months and tested weekly. We also check emergency lighting systems and fire doors on a monthly basis. Tamar’s fire alarms are operated by a call point, normally in the entrance to the block but also in other areas. The fire alarm is not linked to the Fire Brigade or to any smoke alarms, so if there is a fire please phone 999 immediately.

Fire Evacuation

Our Fire Risk Assessor has confirmed that the best arrangement for fire evacuation is for residents to stay put and await rescue by the Fire Brigade. This is also supported by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. Notices on fire evacuation procedures are shown in the communal areas of each block.

We have this arrangement because our flats are designed to contain the fire in the flat where it starts and it’s usually safer to stay put if there is a fire elsewhere in the building.

However, you must leave your home immediately if smoke or heat affects your home or if told to do so by the fire service.

What can you do to help with Fire Safety

Test your smoke alarms regularly. They will normally have a test button on them.

Ensure that all communal areas are kept clear of personal items such as bikes, prams, pot plants etc. Items stored in communal areas can impede the Fire Service should there be a fire and can be the cause of smoke which will make evacuation more hazardous.